The Special Commissioner for Reconstruction, Guido Castelli, has stated that significant administrative errors in Amatrice created situations that required intense effort over the last three years to complete tasks that should have been finished six years ago, notably the removal of earthquake rubble. In an interview with Vatican Radio, Commissioner Castelli announced that the rubble clearance, which has been ongoing for two years, is now slated for completion in 2025. He identified 2025 as the year reconstruction efforts are accelerating.
Castelli revealed that a special reconstruction program for Amatrice had to be completely redrawn just three days ago due to previous omissions. “I prefer to overlook whose fault it was,” he stated, “but I can certainly say we are now realigning all administrative procedures.” This realignment has already enabled progress on public reconstruction projects, including laying the foundations for a new town hall, launching work on a new Carabinieri barracks, continuing restoration on two important historic churches, and beginning work on the Cola Filotesio Museum. “This museum,” Castelli noted, “is turning Amatrice’s historic center from a place of silence into something more.”
The commissioner also addressed private reconstruction, acknowledging that many construction companies are struggling to advance their projects and require support. He cited bureaucratic hurdles as a key issue, confirming that efforts are underway to simplify these processes and, in some cases, “use strong measures” to overcome them. Castelli conceded that the community of Amatrice has a right to a more timely reconstruction but affirmed that officials are now working to recover the lost time.
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